Ilford will hope to end their enforced three-week break with victory over Hullbridge Sports on Saturday in their first of 10 away Essex Senior League games on the spin.

The frustrated Foxes saw their last two fixtures of 2014 against Greenhouse and Sporting Bengal United fall foul to the weather.

And boss Alan Fenn hopes a meeting with the players will help them all focus on the tough challenges which lie in wait for the Cricklefield outfit over the closing months of the season.

“The enforced break has meant the boys have effectively had Christmas off which is no bad thing,” said Fenn.

“It does mean that we have been three weeks without a game though and player fitness is a concern.

“Hopefully a good training session will stand us in good stead for Saturday.

“We have all sat down and had a chat and we are all keen to refocus the mind for the new year.

“There will be plenty of tough challenges ahead for us and it is a big January with every game away from home, while also facing some top sides.”

Ilford start that with a trip to face a Hullbridge Sports side which has progressed to the fourth round of the FA Vase this season.

And though the Lower Road outfit currently sit below the Foxes in the table, Fenn believes they will be coming up against a side capable of a top-four finish.

“They are a very good side and when we played them twice earlier in the season they were easily the best side we had played up until that point,” said Fenn.

“They have also had a good run in the FA Vase and should be

pushing for a top-four spot in my opinion.

“I know they have a lost a couple of players to Billericay Town over the last few months, including their top goalscorer Liam Nash.

“But I still expect them to be strong and they beat us 2-0 in both the league and the cup earlier this season.”

Fenn saw last Saturday’s game at home to Sporting Bengal called off due to a frozen Cricklefield pitch and admitted that was the right decision.

“I went down there on Saturday morning and it was too dangerous to play,” added Fenn.

“It would have been a complete leveller, but it simply wasn’t playable.”

After Saturday’s encounter at Hullbridge Sports, the Foxes are due to be on the road again on Wednesday when they face Eton Manor at Broxbourne Borough.

Colin Munford - Ilford Recorder